Sunday, September 19, 2004

President Bush said in an interview published yesterday that there were serious questions about the authenticity of documents featured in a CBS News report suggesting that he received preferential treatment in the Texas National Guard three decades ago.

Speaking publicly for the first time about the documents, Mr. Bush told The Manchester Union-Leader, "There are a lot of questions and they need to be answered."

He said, "I think what needs to happen is people need to take a look at the documents, how they were created, and let the truth come out."

Bush speaks as if he were simply an observer in this drama, when in fact, he's the protagonist. He was there. He knows whether the content of the memos is true. He can answer these questions:

Did a wealthy Texas oilman-friend of the Bush family use his influence with the speaker of the Texas House of Representatives to get George W. Bush a coveted slot in the National Guard keeping him out of the draft and any probable service IN Vietnam?

Did Lieutenant Bush refuse a direct order from his commanding officer?

Was Lieutenant. Bush suspended for failure to perform up to standards?

Did Lieutenant Bush ever take a physical he was required and ordered to take? If not, why not?

And did Lieutenant Bush, in fact, complete his commitment to the Guard?

Yet he does not. More tellingly, the media does not demand that he answer them. It would rather ask whether memos are forged, even if those memos, forged or not, clearly reflect the opinion of the author - a question whose answer will mean nothing.